Environment
Need some good news about the environment? The Optimist Daily is your go-to herald of positive environmental news, highlighting eco-friendly solutions and scientific progress around climate action, circularity, conservation, and more. Learn about everything eco in our Environment section.
Yes, I’ll have your mung bean omelet please
There’s no question that alternative meats have fully made their way into fast food, fine dining, and everything in between. But what about other alternative options for vegans who want to give up not only meat, but all animal products? Just, a leading producer of plant-based eggs, has partnered Read More...
Rhino poaching numbers fall for fifth consecutive year in South Africa
South Africa’s Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries revealed this week that the number of rhinos poached has fallen for the fifth consecutive year. According to the department, 594 rhinos were poached last year. That's still a painful number to read, but it does represent a sizable Read More...
Shipping companies want to cut emissions. This biofuel might do the trick
Despite that we’re in the early stages of 2020, it’s already been a momentous year for the shipping industry's commitment to cleaning up its act. On Jan. 1, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ordered the world’s shipping fleet, which accounts for 3 percent of global greenhouse gas Read More...
The North Face is expanding their Renewed program to promote sustainability
Pioneered by outdoor brands such as Patagonia, REI, and Osprey, more clothing companies are taking a closer look at how they can make their products more sustainable. The North Face is revamping its North Face Renewed program to invest more in circular design principles and Read More...
Should we switch gas stoves for electric ones to fight climate change?
With climate change being a recurrent topic of conversation, legislators and organizations are looking into all aspects that can be optimized to reduce our current climate impact. The answer, legislators propose, is to push for electrification of our homes. This consists of changing the source Read More...
H&M’s new "Conscious Collection" features leather made of grapes
Vegan leather is quickly growing in popularity in response to environmental and ethical concerns about traditional leather. H&M’s new "Conscious Collection" will feature all sorts of eco-forward materials, including vegan leather made from grapes! The material is made by the Italian Read More...
A Dutch company is turning food waste into a chemical-free sugar substitute
Yesterday we brought you a story about a new type of all-purpose cleaner made almost entirely out of food waste. Today, we bring you another novel product being made from food waste: a sugar substitute. In the Netherlands, a company called Fooditive is turning leftovers from apples and pears, along Read More...
The packaging for this toy is actually a part of the toy
Whenever we receive a package or buy a new product, we’re so used to opening up the packaging and tossing it right away into the trash. But what if you could actually use the packaging for an entirely different purpose? That’s the idea being pushed forward by a company called Educational Read More...
This household cleaner is made out of an unusual ingredient: food waste
What are the main ingredients in your household cleaning supplies? If you use Industrial Organic’s new line of Veles cleaners, you may be surprised to hear the answer is food waste. Before you get grossed out, let's explain the science: 45 trillion gallons of water go into the food that Read More...
Want to help bees? Consider adding these plants to your garden
Bees are critical members of our food chain. These buzzing backyard insects pollinate three-quarters of all fruits, nuts, and vegetables, but they are on the decline. Fortunately, of the 20,000 known bee species in the world, 4,000 are native to the US and there are many flowers you can plant in Read More...